Anthony Jay Robbins (néMahavoric, born February 29, 1960) is an American author, coach and speaker.[1] He is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books including the books Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within.[2]
Early life
Robbins was born Anthony J. Mahavoric in North Hollywood, California on February 29, 1960.[3] The eldest of three children, his parents divorced when he was seven. He is of Croatian descent from both sides of his family.[4] His mother remarried several times, including a marriage with Jim Robbins, a former semi-professional baseball player who legally adopted Anthony when he was 12.[3]
Robbins attended Glendora High School.[5] During high school, he grew 10 inches (25 cm) in one year, a growth spurt later attributed to a pituitary tumor.[3] He has said his home life was "chaotic" and "abusive". When he was 17, he left home and never returned.[3] He later worked as a janitor, and did not attend college.[3] One day he asked his landlord, a family friend, how he became so successful, and the landlord told him that he started to turn his life around after attending a Jim Rohn seminar.
In July 2010, NBC debuted Breakthrough with Tony Robbins, a reality show that followed Robbins as he helped the show's participants face their personal challenges.[8][9] NBC canceled the show after airing two of the planned six episodes due to low viewership of 2.8 million.[10] In March 2012, the OWN Network picked up the show for another season beginning with the original first season set to re-run and thereafter leading directly into the new 2012 season.[11][12] In April 2012, Robbins began cohosting Oprah's Lifeclass on the OWN Network.[13]
Robbins in 2009
In July 2012, the San Jose Mercury News published a story reporting that several people had been burned and hospitalized during one of Robbins's fire-walking events on July 19, 2012. This story was picked up by other media outlets, including Fox News, The New York Times, and CNN.[14][15] Aspects of these reports were later challenged by Robbins himself along with some of the on-site medical professionals.[16][17] On June 24, 2016, it was reported that "dozens were burned and required medical attention after attempting to walk on hot coals during a fire-walking event at a Tony Robbins seminar in Dallas, Texas".[18] A spokeswoman for the Robbins organization stated, "Someone unfamiliar with the process of the fire-walk called 911 reporting the need for emergency service vehicles […] there was no need for emergency personnel […] only 5 of 7,000 participants requested an examination beyond what was readily available on site."[19]
In 2014, he donated the profits of his book, Money: Master the Game, along with an additional personal donation, through Feeding America to provide meals to people in need.[34][35][36] Robbins works with a water company called Spring Health, which provides fresh water to parts of rural eastern India to prevent waterborne diseases.[37]
In 1984, Robbins married Rebecca Jenkins after meeting her at a seminar.[39][40][41] Jenkins had three children, from two former marriages, whom Robbins adopted. Robbins and Jenkins filed for divorce in 1998.[41]
In 1984, Robbins fathered a child with former girlfriend Liz Acosta. Their son, Jairek Robbins, is also a personal empowerment coach and trainer.[42][43]
In October 2001, Robbins married Bonnie Sage Humphrey Robbins.[44] They live in Manalapan, Florida.
Robbins was a vegan for 12 years, he then reportedly added fish to his diet.[45] Whilst eating a fish-heavy diet he developed mercury poisoning and nearly died.[46] His diet now consists of mostly vegetables with a small amount of animal protein.[46][47]
In May 1995, Robbins Research International (RRI) settled with the Federal Trade Commission over alleged violations of the agency's Franchise Rule. Under the settlement, RRI did not admit to having violated any law, but agreed to pay $221,260 in consumer redress.[48] In 2000, Wade Cook sued Robbins for allegedly using copyrighted terms from Cook's book Wall Street Money Machine in his seminars. A jury awarded Cook a $655,900 judgement, which was appealed.[citation needed] Cook and Robbins settled for an undisclosed amount.[49]
2019 sexual harassment and abuse allegations
In May 2019, an investigation by BuzzFeed News detailed accusations against Robbins of the sexual harassment of fans and staff members, such as groping fans at events and exposing his genitals to his assistants.[50][51] Robbins denied the allegations and said, "I have been the target of a year-long investigation by BuzzFeed. Unfortunately, your organization has made it clear to my team that you intend to move forward with publishing an inaccurate, agenda-driven version of the past, pierced with falsehoods."[52]
In November 2019, BuzzFeed News published a six-part article accusing Robbins of molesting a teenage girl during his time as a "star speaker" at SuperCamp, an elite summer camp in southern California. The article claims the events took place in 1985 when Robbins was 25, and that there were at least two eyewitnesses.[53] Other media outlets also reported on these allegations.[54] Robbins denied wrongdoing and sued BuzzFeed News in Ireland. In response, BuzzFeed News said that it stood by its reporting and suggested that Robbins's decision to file the summons in Ireland was an "abuse" of the Irish court.[55]
Money: Master the Game (2014). Simon & Schuster. ISBN1476757801.
Co-authored with Peter Mallouk (2017). Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook. Simon & Schuster. ISBN1501164589.
Co-authored with Peter Diamandis and Robert Hariri (2022). Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love. Simon & Schuster. ISBN9781982121709.
